Mostly I do not connect with rap and hip-hop because of the musical style. Rhythm is important, but I like melody and harmony as well, and it's pretty much lacking in a lot of rap.

Lyrics are really where rap shines, but even that is a mixed bag. Some of it is really good, thought-provoking poetry, but some of it is just crap about bitches, hos, money, cars, gangs, violence and being hard. To me, that reflects a lot of values I cannot relate to. Every genre has it's junk, even the ones I like, but getting to the good stuff in rap requires sifting through the crap, AND getting past a musical style I don't really like much, so it hasn't been something I've spent much time on.

One of the things I liked about watching the Dave Chappelle Show were the musical acts he'd bring on. It was usually a good rap or hip hop artist with a relevant song with something to say --- it was something I wouldn't usually be exposed to.